kundiman.

chapter 17.

"AND THEY'VE DONE IT! JASON DE LOS SANTOS AND THE PENN STATE UNIVERSITY NITTANY LIONS ARE YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!"

The entire stadium is shaking, the Penn State faithful making a joyous noise that can be heard from miles away. Jason has just led his football team to their first national championship since the 1980's. Not only that, he did it as a freshman. The crowd gets even louder, members of the student section now storming the field and celebrating the win in dramatic fashion. Jason is lifted up by none other than Kyle and his new teammate, Brandon. They put him on their shoulders as they celebrate the hard fought victory.

Moments later, after the crowd calms down a bit, the stage is set to present the trophy to Penn State. The NCAA commissioner grabs the microphone and begins speaking, his voice echoing through the stadium.

"Good evening everyone. We would first like to thank every single one of you, the fans, across the nation and all over the world, for being such amazing fans, and supporting your respective universities. We would also like to thank the two schools present here tonight, who gave us a game we will not soon forget. Thank you for giving us a hard fought game and we appreciate both of your efforts here for this whole season. But only one team can come out of this game... as champions. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, your NCAA National Champions, The Penn State University Nittany Lions!"

The stadium once again, erupts in a shout. The commissioner hands the championship trophy to the Penn State Head Coach. He lifts it up in victory, as the team reaches for it to touch it.

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"CLARA! THE HOTDOGS ARE BURNING!"

Clara breaks her concentration from the TV as she darts her head toward her roommate Hannah.

"OH MY GOSH!" she yells, running out toward the backyard where she has the grill on.

She hurriedly takes the hotdogs out of the grill, their burnt appearance filling Clara with grief. She slowly walks back inside their rented house, where her roommates, Hannah, Sara, and Vivian, stand and wait.

"They're burnt," Clara says, holding the plate of charred wieners, sniffling.

"Awwwwww, it's okay Clara, we'll go fire up some new ones. Don't worry about it," Sarah says, comforting Clara.

Vivian rubs Clara's shoulder and grabs the plate and throws away the burnt hotdogs.

"I'm sorry guys, I was just so caught up in the game I completely forgot about the hotdogs," Clara apologizes.

"Ah don't worry, we know why," Hannah says smirking.

"Oh shut up Hans," Clara retorts.

The three roommates laugh at Clara, who is wearing Jason's #8 Penn State jersey.

"Clara De Los Santos. Has a very good ring to it," teases Vivian.

"Ok now that's too much. He's literally my best friend you weirdos."

"That's where it all starts girlieeeee," exclaims Sarah.

Clara looks away and rolls her eyes. As soon as she turns around to where her roommates can't see her facial expression, she looks down at her jersey, rubs the number 8, and smiles.

"You can do this," she whispers, imagining that Jason was standing in front of her.

She glues her eyes to the TV, cheering on Jason's every move.

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The reporter for ESPN pulls Jason aside to interview him shortly after the trophy ceremony.